In our progress of the study of Your prophetic Word, we have many times touched upon the subject of the seven vials, containing the seven last plagues.

We now wish to study these vials more closely, in order to discover their exact nature, and the reasons why they will strike the world.

We thank You in advance for guiding us by Your Spirit, as we open Your Word. In Jesus Christ we pray.

Amen.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 2

Revelation 14:9,10

Comments

If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation.

In our last few lessons, we have seen that, very soon, each one of us will choose to receive either the seal of God or the mark of the beast.

When everybody has made his choice, God will put an end to the period of probation, and those having chosen to receive the mark of the beast will then undergo the wrath of God.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 3

Revelation 15:1; 16:1

Comments

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. (...)

And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels,

«Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God on the earth.»

The wrath of God will express itself through the pouring out of seven vials, each one containing a plague which will strike the unrepentant men.

We will now study these seven vials.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 4

1 Thessalonians 5:9

Comments

For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

First of all, let’s be aware of this very important point.

In our lessons, we have seen many times that God wants to save us from the coming wrath, and this is why He sent His only begotten Son, as an atoning sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins.

Romans 5:9

Much more then, being now justified by [Jesus’] blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 5

Matthew 26:39

Comments

[Jesus] went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying,

«O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as You will.»

Having broken the law of God, we deserved to drink the cup of God’s wrath.

But Jesus, who was blameless and without sin, drank this cup in our place by dying on the cross.

He now offers us His sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins, so that God’s wrath will not have to strike us.

Isaiah 53:5

The chastisement of our peace was on Him.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 6

Romans 3:25,26

Comments

God has set forth [Christ Jesus] to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness, (...) that He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believes in Jesus.

God is Love, but He is also Justice.

Through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son for our sins, He managed to reconcile His perfect love and His perfect justice.

In fact, God’s justice requires that sin receive its punishment, that is, death. But God’s infinite love led Him to take this punishment on His shoulders, so that we might have access to eternal life.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 7

Romans 2:4-6

Comments

Despise you the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

But after your hardness and impenitent heart treasure up to yourself wrath against the Day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds.

But God’s call to salvation is too often neglected.

Claiming that God is too good to destroy unrepentant men, many people abuse God’s love and patience, choosing to forget that God is also Justice...

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 8

But the Bible is clear: the cup of God’s wrath will be poured out.

«For thus said the Lord God of Israel to me; “Take the wine cup of this fury at My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it. And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them.”» (Jeremiah 25:15,16)

«For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and He pours out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.» (Psalm 75:8)

«And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at your hand to drink, then shall you say to them, Thus said the Lord of hosts; “You shall certainly drink. For, see, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by My name, and should you be utterly unpunished? You shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth,” said the Lord of hosts.» (Jeremiah 25:28,29)

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 9

Psalm 11:4-7

Comments

The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try the children of men.

The Lord tries the righteous: but the wicked and him that loves violence His soul hates.

On the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

For the righteous Lord loves righteousness; His countenance does behold the upright.

Let’s not deceive ourselves by believing that the wrath of God will never fall.

Rather, let’s respond right here and now to His call to salvation.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 10

Revelation 15:1,2

Comments

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire.

And them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

Besides, in the introductory scene to the seven vials of God’s wrath, the book of Revelation presents this group of believers who have responded to God’s call to salvation and remained faithful to Him until the end.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 11

Revelation 15:2

Comments

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire.

And them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass.

Although the return of Jesus and the gathering of His faithful will take place only at the pouring out of the seventh and last vial, the people of God are described as if they were already in heaven, near the throne of God.

Why is it so?

Revelation 4:5,6

There were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

And before the throne there was a sea of glass like to crystal.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 12

Isaiah 26:20,21

Comments

Come, My people, enter you into your chambers, and shut your doors about you: hide yourself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be over.

For, behold, the Lord comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood.

By presenting the people of God as if they were already in heaven, prophecy indicates that they will be, although still on earth, protected from the plagues and the vengeance of the wicked.

The wicked will try to attack the faithful believers, even sending out a death decree against them, but in vain.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 13

God will protect His people during the seven last plagues:

«I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress: my God, in Him will I trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings shall you trust: His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day; nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, your habitation; there shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. (...)

“Because he has set his love on Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call on Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”» (Psalm 91:2-10,14-16)

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 14

Exodus 12:13

Comments

When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

The blood of a lamb protected the people of Israel from the last plague in Egypt.

Likewise, the blood of Jesus will protect spiritual Israel, God’s people, from the last plagues on the earth.

Romans 5:9

Much more then, being now justified by [Jesus’] blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 15

Psalm 97:5-8,10,12

Comments

The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the people see His glory. Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols. (...)

Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of Your judgments, O Lord. (...)

He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. (...)

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.

God’s miraculous protection against the seven plagues will cause His people to praise Him.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 16

Revelation 15:3

Comments

And they sing the song of Moses.

In fact, the introductory scene to the seven vials goes on with the saints singing the song of Moses, referring to what the people of Israel sang after God miraculously saved them from the hands of the Egyptians.

Exodus 14:30; 15:1

Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the sea shore. (...)

Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song to the Lord.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 17

Exodus 15:1,7,9,10,13

Comments

Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying, (...)

«In the greatness of Your excellency You have overthrown them that rose up against You: You sent forth Your wrath, which consumed them as stubble. (...)

The enemy said, “I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied on them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.”

You did blow with Your wind, the sea covered them. (...) You in Your mercy have led forth the people which You have redeemed: You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation.»

The song of Moses perfectly coincides with the context of the seven vials, praising the Lord for His divine protection.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 18

Deuteronomy 31:30; 32:5,22,24,25

Comments

And Moses spoke in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended. (...)

«They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of His children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. (...)

“For a fire is kindled in My anger. (...) They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction. (...)

The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.”»

A second song of Moses also describes the coming of devastating plagues, as a response to the corruption and unrepentance of men.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 19

Revelation 15:3

Comments

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.

The redeemed also sing the song of the Lamb, expressing their gratitude for the precious sacrifice of the Lamb who saved them.

Revelation 7:9,10

After this I beheld, and, see, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying,

«Salvation to our God which sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!»

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 20

Revelation 15:3

Comments

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

«Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Your ways, You King of saints!»

After underlining the priceless value of their salvation in Jesus Christ, the redeemed sing of God’s justice, which will show itself through the pouring out of the seven vials on those having rejected God’s call to salvation.

Isaiah 45:21

There is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Savior.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 21

Revelation 15:4

Comments

Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?

Besides praising God’s justice, the song of the Lamb also invites us to fear God, for His judgments have the power to bring about eternal destruction.

Luke 12:4,5

And I say to you My friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: Fear Him, which after He has killed has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 22

Revelation 15:4

Comments

Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?

For You only are holy.

The redeemed also sing of God’s holiness which was reflected in them, through the work of the Holy Spirit within their hearts.

This sanctification has set them apart for the service of God on earth, before their final deliverance.

Psalm 111:9

[The Lord] sent redemption to His people.

He has commanded His covenant for ever: holy and reverend is His name.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 23

Revelation 15:4

Comments

All nations shall come and worship before You.

For Your judgments are made manifest.

Finally, the song of the chosen presents people from all nations bowing down before God.

Some will bow down before God because they have been saved...

Isaiah 45:22,23

Look to Me, and be you saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 24

Isaiah 45:22-24

Comments

Look to Me, and be you saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

«Surely,» shall one say, «in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to Him shall men come; and all that are incensed against Him shall be ashamed.»

... but others, sadly, will bow down before God to «be ashamed», finally acknowledging that they made a terrible error when they rejected God’s offer of salvation.

They will then receive their judgment.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 25

Revelation 15:5

Comments

And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.

The scene then goes on with the opening of the heavenly sanctuary, allowing us to see the ark of the covenant which contains God’s law.

This same law, once broken by unrepentant men, will now testify against them.

Revelation 11:19

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 26

Revelation 15:6,7

Comments

And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

And one of the four beasts gave to the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.

Out of the opened temple come the angels who have the seven plagues which they are just about to pour out on unrepentant men.

These seven angels, who are clothed with linen, refer to a prophecy of Ezekiel about the destruction of those who did not receive the mark of God...

«And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lies toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar.

And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And He called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; and the Lord said to him,

“Go through the middle of the city, through the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the middle thereof.”

And to the others He said in my hearing, “Go you after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have you pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man on whom is the mark.”» (Ezekiel 9:2-6)

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 28

Revelation 15:8

Comments

And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power.

And no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

The scene introducing the seven vials ends with the vision of the heavenly temple filled with smoke.

You have covered Yourself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 29

1 Kings 8:10,11

Comments

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud.

For the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.

In fact, when the cloud of God’s glory filled the earthly sanctuary, it was no longer possible to work within it.

So, the smoke filling the heavenly sanctuary really indicates that Jesus’ work of intercession is finished, and that He is just about to come and gather His people.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 30

Revelation 8:3-5

Comments

And another Angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to Him much incense, that He should offer it with the prayers of all saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.

And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the Angel’s hand.

And the Angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth.

And there were voices, and thunder, and lightning, and an earthquake.

This same subject is presented here.

Jesus, pictured as an angel interceding for the saints before God, puts an end to this intercession, and pours out the fire from the altar onto the earth as a sign of judgment.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 31

Ezekiel 10:2,4

Comments

And [God] spoke to the man clothed with linen, and said,

«Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill your hand with coals of fire from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city.»

And he went in in my sight. (...)

Then the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house.

And the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord’s glory.

Here again, the pouring out of the fire from the altar is linked with the cloud filling the temple of God, indicating the close of probation.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 32

Revelation 15:5

Comments

The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.

At Jesus’ death, the veil of the temple was torn, leaving the temple open to all eyes.

This marked the end of services in the earthly sanctuary.

Calling this scene to mind, the open temple in heaven is thus another sign of the end of the heavenly sanctuary’s services.

Matthew 27:50,51

Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 33

Isaiah 24:16

Comments

From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous.

But I said,

«My leanness, my leanness, woe to me!»

Let’s remember that, when God closes probation, the world won’t know it immediately, and people will continue to attend to their everyday affairs.

But, when the seven vials are poured out shortly afterward, everyone will finally understand that the point of no return has been crossed.

The characters of both those who serve God and those who do not serve Him will be revealed, and Jesus will put an end to this sin-stained world.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 34

Revelation 16:1

Comments

And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels,

«Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God on the earth.»

The introductory scene being now finished, the prophecy goes on with the content of each of the seven vials, covering the whole of Revelation chapter 16.

These vials will be the subject of our next seven lessons.

If I Were Told the Future

Lesson 81

Introduction to the Seven Vials

Screen 35

Let’s thank God for all His blessings:

Lord,

The seven vials of Your wrath are another tragic subject of Your prophetic Word.

But You did not appoint us to suffer Your wrath, and this is why You gave us Your Son Jesus Christ, so that we may inherit eternal life through His blood.

Please help us not to abuse Your patience and love, and to accept right here and now Your great sacrifice for our salvation. We will be forever thankful to You for this wonderful gift.

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